Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 812.00/3576.

The American Consul at Chihuahua to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

American Consulate,
Chihuahua, April 11, 1912—8 p.m.
(Received, via El Paso, Tex., April 13, 1912—2.18 a.m.)

Orozco, rebel military commander, has just sent me a most remarkable letter saying that in view of nonrecognition belligerency on the part of the United States the rebel government would refuse to recognize consular representatives of the United States, and that henceforth I should not address the military commander on behalf of my Government. This letter was received an hour after delivery my note respecting detention American engineer at Jimenez and purports to be in answer to my protest against the seizure of mail.

Letcher.